Amid increasing concerns around deforestation and human rights, a UN official warns that Brazil's newly passed development law could critically weaken environmental safeguards and lead to significant ecological damage, particularly in the Amazon. The bill simplifies licensing processes for various projects, which critics say may result in unchecked deforestation and violations of indigenous rights.
UN Expert Calls Out Brazil's New Development Law as a Threat to Amazon and Human Rights
UN Expert Calls Out Brazil's New Development Law as a Threat to Amazon and Human Rights
A new development law in Brazil poses potential risks to environmental protections and human rights, according to a UN expert, as legislators push for expedited project approvals.
In a striking warning, a UN expert recently assessed Brazil's new development law, labeling it a potential disaster for the Amazon rainforest and indigenous communities. The bill, which expedites project approvals for infrastructure, has sparked intense debate as Brazil gears up to host the COP30 climate summit. Astrid Puentes Riaño, a UN special rapporteur, raised alarms about the possible environmental degradation and human rights infringements that may result from the legislation, which she described as a regression of hard-won protections.
This month, Brazilian lawmakers pushed forward a proposal to streamline the environmental licensing process for projects involving roads, dams, energy, and mining. Although awaiting presidential approval, critics have quickly dubbed the legislation the "devastation bill." They argue that it could unleash widespread environmental abuses and significant deforestation in an already beleaguered Amazon.
Supporters of the bill contend that simplifying the licensing process alleviates long-standing bureaucratic hurdles, allowing businesses to navigate approvals more effectively. The changes allow developers of smaller projects to self-declare their environmental impact, a provision critics cautiously regard as a potential gateway for unchecked development.
Riaño expressed specific concerns regarding lighter regulations that could negatively influence mining operations in the Amazon region. She emphasized that automatic renewals of project licenses, lacking necessary environmental assessments, could allow deforestation to proceed unchecked. The potential for significant ecological harm is exacerbated by ongoing agriculture and mining pressures, which have historically driven deforestation in the region.
The new law stipulates that environmental agencies must decide on strategic project licenses within a period of 12 months, extendable to 24. Should they fail to meet this timeline, projects might receive automatic approval, raising the eyebrows of those who urge for a more scientifically rigorous assessment process.
Moreover, the legislation appears to lessen the obligations to consult with indigenous and quilombola communities, further raising concerns about the infringement of the rights of affected populations. UN experts warn that expediting environmental assessments may compromise public participation and diminish human rights protections.
While proponents argue that the law will bolster economic growth, particularly in renewable energy, critics emphasize that eroding environmental protections could lead to dangerous consequences for both ecosystems and indigenous rights. Experts caution that the bill's provisions may violate Brazil's constitutional guarantees for an ecologically balanced environment, potentially paving the way for future legal challenges.
The situation has escalated into a political showdown. President Lula da Silva now faces a pivotal choice to either approve or veto the bill by 8 August amid dissenting voices within his government. The Environment and Climate Change minister, Marina Silva, has openly condemned the legislation, heralding it as an assault on environmental safeguards.
The Brazilian Climate Observatory has referred to the bill as the "largest environmental regression" since the military dictatorship era. Riaño underscored the profound implications of the law, noting that it could eliminate protections for an area exceeding 18 million hectares—an expanse comparable to the country of Uruguay. The growing opposition to the legislation highlights the delicate balance between economic ambitions and the urgent necessity to protect the Amazon's vital ecosystems.
